Immunizations: Measles

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. The virus easily spreads from person to person. It can spread through coughing and sneezing. People who are infected can spread measles to others four days before, and up to four days after, the rash appears. The measles virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after a sick person coughs or sneezes.

You can get measles by breathing contaminated air or touching an infected surface, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. That means you can catch measles nearly anywhere, such as the grocery store, movie theaters, or on a bus or plane. A vaccine is your best protection.

Symptoms of measles start showing seven to 14 days after getting infected. The first symptoms of measles may include:

• Fever, sometimes over 104º Fahrenheit
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes
• Sore throat
• Tiredness

These early symptoms are followed by a rash that spreads over the body. The rash tends to appear three to five days after the first symptoms.

Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, there are several groups that are more likely to suffer from measles complications:

• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults older than 20 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection

Common complications can include ear infections and diarrhea. Severe complications include pneumonia (infection of the lungs), encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death.

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of measles.

The only way to diagnose measles is through appropriate testing. If you think you have measles, it’s important to see a doctor for a nose and throat swab and a blood test.

There is no specific treatment for measles.

If you have measles, it’s important to stay home so you don’t spread measles to other people.

Call your doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms. Medical care could help relieve symptoms and address complications, such as bacterial infections. Your doctor can tell you when it’s safe to be around other people again.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.

See Should I Get a Measles Booster, P-03713 (PDF)

Children

The CDC recommends that children get two doses of the MMR vaccine.

• The first doses is given between 12–15 months of age.
• The second dose is given between 4–6 years of age.

Adults born before 1957

Adults born before 1957 probably had measles, and do not need an MMR vaccine, unless they are in one of the groups below (international travelers or health care personnel).

Adults born during or after 1957 who haven’t had measles

The CDC recommends that adults born during or after 1957 who haven't had measles should get one dose of MMR vaccine. Adults who are health care personnel, college students, or international travelers who do not have immunity (laboratory confirmation of measles disease or immunity) should get two doses of MMR vaccine.

People who received a dose of measles vaccine from 1963–1967 may have gotten an inactivated measles vaccine that is not effective. People who were vaccinated between 1963–1967 should consult with a health care provider to determine if another dose of MMR vaccine is needed. Adults who are health care personnel, college students, or international travelers who got the inactivated measles vaccine between 1963–1967 should get two doses of MMR vaccine.

College students

The CDC recommends that college students who did not have two doses of MMR vaccine as children, or who do not have immunity (laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of measles disease), get two doses of MMR, separated by at least 28 days.

Health care personnel

The CDC recommends that health care personnel who did not have two doses of MMR vaccine as children, or who do not have immunity (laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of measles disease), get two doses of MMR, separated by at least 28 days.

International travelers

The CDC recommends that people 6 months and older who will be traveling internationally should be protected against measles.

• Babies 6–11 months should get one dose of MMR vaccine.
• Children 12 months and older should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
• Adults who do not have immunity (laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of measles disease), should get two doses of MMR, separated by at least 28 days.

Find out if you and your children are up to date on the measles vaccine. Check our Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Wisconsin Immunization Registry. If you’re not up to date, call your doctor, pharmacy, or local health department to schedule the vaccine. If you are not able to find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity, the CDC recommends that you should get vaccinated. There is no harm in getting another dose of MMR vaccine if you may already be immune to measles (or mumps or rubella).

If you’re worried about cost, your family may be eligible for free vaccines. Read about our Vaccines For Children and Vaccines For Adults programs.

• DHS fact sheet—Measles, P-42174 (available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali)
• DHS fact sheet—Should I Get a Measles Booster, P-03713 (PDF)
• CDC—Questions about Measles
• CDC vaccine information statement—Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (available in many languages)
• CDC—Vaccine safety
• Vaccinate Your Family—Questions about Vaccines

Measles is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category I disease

Report it right away to the patient’s local public health department. Call as soon as you identify a confirmed or suspected case. The health department then notifies the state epidemiologist.

Within 24 hours, submit a case report through one of the following:

• Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS)
• Mail or fax—Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report, F44151 (Word)

Read more about required disease reporting in Wisconsin.

Case reporting and public health guidelines

• Measles, Communicable Disease Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol EpiNet, P-01989 (PDF): measles virus infection case reporting and investigation protocol for health professionals
• CDC recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—MMR ACIP Vaccine Recommendations (Measles, Mumps and Rubella
• CDC—Transmission-Based Precautions
• DHS Division of Public Health Surveillance and Control Guidelines (in revision)
  • DHS Division of Public Health Surveillance and Control Guidelines are currently in revision as of June 25, 2024.
  • Measles Communicable Diseases Case Reporting and Investigation Guidance for Clinicians, P-00892A (PDF): a 2 page summary for clinicians.
  • In the meantime, refer to CDC’s guidance on measles
  • For questions contact Stacey Moyer at Stacey.Moyer@dhs.wisconsin.gov or Sarah Born at Sarah.Born2@dhs.wisconsin.gov
• Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene—Clinical Testing Reference Manual

• CDC best practices report—Guidelines for Investigating Clusters of Health Events
• DHS provider instructions—Suspect Measles? Isolate. Test. Report. Vaccinate. P-02416 (PDF)
• National Institute of Health journal articles—Measles
• Minnesota Department of Public Health—Minimize Transmission of Measles in Health Care Settings

• CDC infographic—Measles: It Isn’t Just a Little Rash
• DHS graphic—Should I Get a Measles Booster, P-03713 (PDF)
• DHS graphic—Measles can easily spread from person to person: Call your doctor, P-02358 (available in English, Spanish, and Hmong)
• DHS graphic—Put Measles on the Spot, P-02355 (available in English, Spanish, and Hmong)